Review: The Case for Christian Nationalism By Stephen Wolfe

 By Pastor Shane Lems - Posted at The Heidelblog:

The rise of Donald Trump, the renewed call for a “Christian America,” the novel promotion of Christian nationalism—these three things are recent realities in the American political and religious scenes. Indeed, they are related realities. Furthermore, these three realities are not helping unify Christians in America and are causing unbelievers to further oppose the Christian faith and church. Love him or hate him, most Christians know about Donald Trump. Most are also aware of the term, “Christian America”—but what about Christian nationalism? This term’s usage has been on the rise in the last ten years, but not every Christian knows what it means. Christians who do know what Christian nationalism means might even argue about its definition. One of the lengthier books written recently in favor of this movement is The Case for Christian Nationalism by Stephen Wolfe.

Just shy of five hundred pages, The Case for Christian Nationalism (TCCN) gives definitions for various aspects of Christian nationalism and detailed arguments in support of it. TCCN is neither a simple primer on Christian nationalism, nor is it aimed at intermediate readers. Rather, it is intended for advanced readers who want a comprehensive and intricate layout of the various particulars of Christian nationalism. Wolfe weaves theology, philosophy, logic, history, and political theory together to present an elaborate case for his version of Christian nationalism.

An Overview

Wolfe notes that he is writing from a Reformed Christian point of view which ought to be assumed throughout the book (16). TCCN, however, does not make its case directly from Scripture or Reformed theology since Wolfe does not claim to be a biblical scholar or a theologian (16). In other words, although he does not cite Scripture frequently in this book, the conclusions are based on his understanding of theology and Scripture as applied to politics, culture, laws, and society.

Here is Wolfe’s own definition of Christian nationalism: “[Christian nationalism] is a totality of national action, consisting of civil laws and social customs, conducted by a Christian nation as a Christian nation, in order to procure for itself both earthly and heavenly good in Christ” (9). In other words, Christian nationalism means the laws and customs of a nation should be Christian laws and customs. Additionally, all the actions of a nation should be Christian actions leading to earthly good and heavenly good.

His main purpose for writing the book is to prove that Christian nationalism is the ideal arrangement for Christians and something worth pursuing with resolve (9). His goal is to justify the institutionalization of Christianity and give reasons for Christians to “act in confidence for that institutionalization” (5). In his view, “there are two options: Christian nationalism or pagan nationalism” (381). He does not believe there is a third option for civil governments.

Continue here.